Julie Owens (Parramatta, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last week, I joined one of Parramatta's oldest and finest regiments, the 1st/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers for their 130th regimental dinner, celebrating another year of extraordinary service, as well as their illustrious history. On the evening, we were joined by a number of special guests: Colonel Lee Long, the honorary colonel; Major General Iain Spence, the head cadet of the reserve and employer support division; and Brigadier Kathryn Campbell, commander of the 5th Brigade. Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Rob Lording gave his traditional state of the unit speech, congratulating the unit on a successful year and outlining the challenges as they continue to serve our country to the best of their abilities.

The Royal New South Wales Lancers were first formed as the NSW cavalry regiment in 1885 and have fought in many of Australia's most important battles and wars, including in the Boer War, Gallipoli and Palestine in World War I and New Guinea and Borneo in World War II. They are Australia's most decorated regiment, with 21 honours. I would like to thank Captain Colin Bigger, my host officer for the evening, as well as Major Scott Francis for his assistance in organising the evening. I wish the Royal New South Wales Lancers many successful years ahead.